Have a Very Berry Christmas

 It's almost Christmas, but don't fret, I have something great for you to give as a gift! Whether you're trying to find something for your best friend, mom or sister, or just need something nice for yourself, get ready to shop all things BodyCeuticals. 

Oh, and they'll ship your order for free if you spend $75 or more. Not a bad deal, considering their products are highly affordable, which means you'll be able to get something for everyone on your list, just be sure to check it, twice! 

Over the next few weeks you'll be attending holiday parties and joining in on the merrily singing, but what you may not notice, is how the weather changes, lack of sleep and even what you eat, may wreck havoc on your skin. Don't despair, I have the perfect facial serum duo to keep you looking glam, day and night!

The Berry Beauty Drops - Day -- This pretty little bottle is filled with 100 percent pure, cold-pressed unrefined red raspberries seed and fruit oil! The lightweight formula absorbs quickly into the skin,  keeping it hydrated and protected. Infused with significant amounts of Vitamin A, C and essential fatty acids, you will see a glow in as little as a few days. Oh, and let's not forget it's vegan, organic, wheat, gluten and soy free and non-GMO. The same goes for the Berry Beauty Drops Day's counterpart, The Berry Beauty Drops - Night!

Designed to nourish the skin at night, the organic, cold-pressed blackberry seed and fruit oil Berry Beauty Drops - Night is infused with Vitamin C, which helps in collagen production and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This gorgeous dark color serum is attributed to the blackberries' naturally occurring polyphenols. 

Each individual bottle is $32, and available now! Go get yours! Happy shopping and have a very berry Christmas! xx

Perfect balm to heal blisters and bug bites

 Hi All!


I recently ventured back to Yosemite National Park (I'll be posting pics soon), and as anyone is aware, when you're in the great outdoors and hiking long miles and tough terrain,  you're bound to encounter a few itchy bug bites and potentially painful blisters. Thankfully with the help of Bodyceuticals, I was able to soften my skin, and keep it from getting more chafed and irritated on my extensive journey by dabbing on this essential first aid salve with calendula and honey.

What is Calendula?
Calendula is a flower most commonly known as Marigold. The term "marigold" refers to the Virgin Mary, and the flower is often used to honor her during Catholic events.


Egyptians are said to have used the flower for rejuvenating properties.


In as recent as 70 years ago,  American physicians have been said to use Calendula for fevers, cuts, scrapes and minor infections.


The flower, or herb rather, helps reduce pain and can be a very great disinfectant and treatment for minor skin irritations. As in my case, blisters, bug bites and chafing brought on by a lot of walking.

The salve created by Bodyceuticals has honey added to it, right from their very own apiary!
If you're an ingredient reader like myself, you'll want to know everything, so here is a full list of their ingredients:


Extra-virgin, unrefined, first cold-pressed oil from olives grown in volanic soil, whole golden calendula flowers which are Kosher, Organic/wild crafted grown using biodynamic methods, fresh, local organic beeswax, fresh Pacific Northwest honey, high potency vegan, non-GMO d-alpha tocopherol and mixed tocopherol Vitamin E.


Additionally, there product is currently harvested, certified organic, vegan and kosher.

If you're interested in learning more, about the product or the team behind it, just go to their website. Also, "Like" them on Instagram. They are all so friendly and kind and willing to answer any questions you may have about their products.

Nailed It! Simple manicures for all seasons

Can you believe it's September sixth already? I can't. Labor day just flew by and we're closing the final chapter of summer 2017. I'm not worried though, because the heat this year has been unpredictable and downright unbearable at times, especially when hiking! Phew!


Needless to say, whether I'm outdoors or not, I always enjoy having my nails done. It's just my personal splurge. Some people overload on chocolate, buy too many kittens, or wash their car every Saturday (I know a guy), we all have our thing. Mine just so happens to be a bit more, well, girly.

So now that we're entering fall, the typical shades that come to mind are oranges, dark greens, dark reds and even browns. Although those colors may look nice for a certain day of the week, I change my mind too often.

And although I do love my hot pinks, purples and dark mauves, I've recently stuck to the basics. There's just something about French tips, French ombres, light pinks and nudes that look clean, sophisticated and go with any outfit. Just a few coats of these lighter shades with a touch of sparkle and clear coat, and your whole look is pulled together. 


As not to bombard you with a slew of manicure photos, I've pulled my top three to share. Use them for inspiration, alter to our heart's content, but whatever you do, have fun and enjoy your "me time."



Much Needed Vitamin Sea + Vitamin C

This past weekend, I cruised down to one of my favorite beach spots in the whole world for some much needed alone time. There's something special about watching powerful waves interlace with the shoreline in an extreme pattern that provides therapy and calm to a rough work week. Although comforting and providing a tranquil state of mind, I couldn't forget my sunscreen, water and a new favorite, the bodyceuticals Vitamin C + Calendula fruit stem cell AHA.  



I can't tell you how amazing this all natural product smells, and I can't even begin to share how good it felt on my face, I can only write a description, and let me just tell you, you'll want to lick the jar and touch your skin all day long!

The fresh, organic aloe juice whipped into this facial cream contains high potency Vitamin C and antioxidants designed to tone & even out skin tone. Um, hello? Where has this baby been all my life?!

Studies have also shown the ingredients in this cream do the following:

• Firm & plump tissue
• Assists with age & sun spots
• Freshen and soothes skin
• 90 percent certified organic. vegan

Full list of Ingredients: Vitamin C ester, Organic aloe vera juice, Organic coconut oil, Organic Calendula, Organic cranberry, Organic rose hip seed oil, Wild blueberry extract, Organic black willow bark, rosemary, neem, Vitamin E d-alpha tocopherol & mixed tocopherol.

 If you have an awesome product to share with me or want me to try, let me know, I'd love to check it out! Come say hi on my instagram page.

Beauty Brand Stila Goes Cruelty-Free

What's Happened?...



Interesting news on the beauty front, thanks to blogger Cruelty-Free Kitty for providing the information on her blog. Cosmetic brand Stila, has pulled out of China, which is HUGE as China test on animals where their law permits. With this transition official as of 2017, Stila has been moved to PETA's list of brands who do not test on animals.


The Hope...
With Stila being such a huge brand in the industry, one can only hope more brands will follow their lead.


Not to knock down other brands, but with so many options to produce rich color and product sans testing on animals, why not?


Almost There...


The more I learn about animal testing, the more distraught I have become. As a beauty and lifestyle blogger and past beauty editor for a national magazine, I have sampled a slew of beauty treasures, and that's not to say my makeup bag is completely free of "no animal tested" staples. I am however, more mindful of what I'm putting on my skin; and thinking of the suffering these innocent animals go through to help me look glamorous.


Need Help?...
In this day and age, we have so many options of beauty goodness, and many cruelty-free beauty brands are duping high-end main stream (non-cruelty-free) ones. 
For example:  NYX, Wet "N' Wild, Tarte and of course Stila have several options to choose from. Check them out at your favorite market.


In Conclusion...


CHEERS TO STILA! any victory is a BIG victory in my book!

Stila by ladylisalove featuring Stila

CRUELTY FREE BEAUTY PRODUCTS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

Hi-ya, gorgeous,

Let's talk!

All beauty girls (and guys) understand the fundamentals of playing up your God-given features with a peach hue on the cheeks or red stain on the lips. Heck, we can even redefine our noses and cheek bones with a fierce contour!

But, what if I told you those beauty products we adorn over aren't using cruelty-free ingredients? In fact, 100 million animals are tested and tortured each year for the sake of providing us our favorite date-night looks. This post is not to upset you, but rather provide awareness.

Animal testing dates back to the 1920s and although the history is dark, we can start making adjustments to transition towards a cruelty-free 21st century. In fact, there are over 7,000 safe ingredients cosmetic companies can choose from to create their products. Ingredients that don't need to be tested on animals, as they have already been approved and proven safe.  
To read more on the topic of animal testing, check out the Cruelty Free Kitty . This blogger has in-depth knowledge and facts to back up her statements, and I highly recommend her informative reads.

To shop for great beauty products without the guilt, check out my picks below! With Valentine's coming up, there's no better time to look for some goodies to make you feel and look like a goddess, and you'll be doing some good for little Rupert, also. Just think, the more you spend on products that don't test on animals, the sooner the testing will become obsolete and that's a beautiful thing to look forward to! #squadgoals

Start shopping!

CRUELTY FREE BEAUTY by ladylisalove featuring Too Faced Cosmetics

Anti-Frizz Hair Products to keep your mane sane

The weather is so fickle, isn't it? Don't let its weary ways mess with your hair. I personally know the struggle of wavy hair. I constantly blow dry it straight, and pinch it with a flat iron here and there for added smoothness, but that doesn't always solve the problem of Mother Nature, which is why I turn to some of the experts in hair transformation.


I'm sure you have your favorites, but I listed a few of the items I love to use when the weather goes from windy to an outright down pour. Hey, a girl's gotta look fabulous, right?

Alterna Bamboo Anti-Frizz Shampoo - This shampoo is my favorite as we speak! It's super creamy and gentle on my mane while thoroughly cleansing it from work and gym grime.  It's safe on color-treated hair and feels smooth while providing humidity resistance. The formula contains highly sustainable ingredients that are Eco-Certified, Fair-Trade compliant and Certified Organic. Paraben-free; sulfate-free; phthalate-free; DEA-free; TEA-free; petrochemical-free; synthetic color-free; dye-free

Moroccan Oil Treatment Light - This baby will give your hair an amazing face lift I mean, hair lift. Moroccanoil® light is specifically formulated for the delicate needs of light-colored (including platinum and white) and fine hair. Infused with antioxidant-rich argan oil and shine-boosting vitamins, this nourishing treatment detangles, speeds up drying time and boosts shine --you'll be obsessed with, I promise! For fuller, thicker hair, use the original formula. I usually snatch mine at a local high-end beauty supply store, but your hair salon may have it also.

Philip Kingsley Weatherproof Hairspray - perfect for  all hair types,  this medium hold-non-aerosol, anti-static and weatherproof spray will give you shine and weather protection without the stickiness.                                                                             

Living Proof Moisturizing Anti-Frizz Conditioner - This conditioner is silicon free and is instead powered by Living Proof's patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA), which won't weigh hair down, but rather create a barrier that is said to block out up to 70 percent humidity. In addition, hair will feel smoother, lighter and cleaner. -um, sign me up!

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Seasilk Oil Gel - both a treatment and a styling product, this velvety, lightweight oil gel offers a gentle styling definition to your locks without weighing it down. I usually dab a dime size in my hands and smooth it across my bangs and the middle of my hair to the ends. I love it!

Got a product you love that wasn't featured here? Let me know about it! Comment in the section below or check out my Facebook page and comment there. Happy hair day!

Anti-Frizz by ladylisalove featuring Alterna

Alterna flat iron
$26 - nordstrom.com

Living Proof hair conditioner
nordstrom.com

Alterna hair shampoo
$17 - thehut.com

Moroccanoil haircare
barneys.com

Philip Kingsley styling product
$12 - net-a-porter.com

What I Learned in 2016

Can you believe we only have a few more hours until we say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017?! It's crazy, right? 

With so many world events that have taken this year by the horns, I'm sure we've all had a few  personal experiences we'd wish never made a pit stop, but what is life without some downfalls? We can't have it all, and life is never perfect, but we can learn a lot through these ups and downs and make the best out of it, or perhaps even learn from them. 

Here's what I learned this year:

• I'm a Go-Getter

This isn't something necessarily new to me, but it's definitely worth acknowledging. I can't sit still. I don't like wasting time and I definitely function at a higher speed than most. Whether it is about health, fitness, work or organizing my closet and then reorganizing it again, I must see things progress. Everything has an order; a place in this world, and in order to see these things fit into their proper space, I create a hands-on approach to make sure it gets done. I guess you can say I'm a type-A personality. Although mostly wonderful, this type of personality can be difficult to have at times because it can make me a perfectionist and allows for frazzled moments with others who are inactive to pursue their dreams or resolve health issues. This leads me into the second thing...

• Accepting People As They Are

People show you who they are every day. Whether happy and make every situation positive, negative and dismissive or smile to your face and live a secret life behind your back (trust me it happens). People will show you who they are, the type of person they connect with and what you can expect from them. Don't make anyone be who you want them to be, but rather listen to what they are saying to you. You'll spend less time problem solving, and more time living your best self.

• It's OK to Say "NO"

It's definitely ok to say no. Your life and your time is precious, and spending it with who and as you wish, is and SHOULD BE a definite priority. 

• New Things Are Scary but Worth a Try If Your Heart Is In It

This one is pretty straightforward, but we all need a little reminder that stepping out of our comfort zone can be a bit scary, and that's normal. When I started my new job a year ago, I was pretty scared. It was something I had wanted to do for years, but never had the right opportunity. Then with a LOT of persistence (TYPE A), a lot of patience, learning from others and weaving in my own skills, I landed the job of managing a magazine for a large organization. A huge dream come true; and a huge goal accomplished. My heart was there and so was the fear, but if I let the fear outweigh my heart's desire, I would have never pursued this job, and I'm so glad I listened to my heart. 

• God Has A Plan For You

Simply put, everyone's journey is their own. God intended yours to move just as fast (or slow) as needed. The route may change course and your abilities, function or outlook may change from time to time, but you are right where you need to be. Trust Your Journey.

Now that I've shared what I learned, it's time to set out some new goals for 2017! I'm very much ready to do this, and I hope you'll join me. Grab a pen and paper and write out a few goals of your own. There's no rush, take your time. Vision your goals. Let's go!

Goals for 2017:

1. Do Yoga 1 to 2xs a week. 

2. Drink More Water (with lemon)

3. Say "No" to Things You Don't Want To Do

4. Be OK with Your Fitness Journey and Progress 

5. Spend More Time Doing what You love

6. Get More Sleep

7. Do More Things Outdoors 

~ Now for a little fluff, here are some pictures to share my favorite IG posts of 2016 ~

Happy New Year! May Your Blessings be Abundant!